The exports from the furniture industry based in Bento Gonçalves continue pulling the performance measure increasing indexes this year. From January to September, compared to the same period last year, exports grew by 8.9%, from US$ 26 to US$ 28 million. Colombia and the United States were the highlights, being among the top five destinations for Bento Gonçalves furniture, in addition to Saudi Arabia, Chile and Uruguay, with significant increases in shipments in the period. India, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and South Africa also had important negotiations with the local industry in the same period.

On the other hand, traditional markets, such as Argentina and Paraguay, have been decreasing throughout the year, especially due to the economic and currency problems faced in Argentina. The export growth of the furniture industry based in Bento Gonçalves is higher than in the state, with an increase of 4.7% in the period, but lower than the national indexes. In Brazil as a whole, furniture exports grew by 11.5% from January to September, especially to the United States. The data are from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade - MDIC.

Despite the positive results, the International Director of Sindmóveis, Leonardo Dartora, argued that the increase in prices and production costs end up canceling a real growth for the furniture industry in Bento Gonçalves. The sector has been impacted by the growth in freight, electric energy and MDF and MDP boards - the latter went up from 5% to 10%, according to Sindmóveis members. Moreover, the increase in furniture accessories priced in dollars further impacts on the price of furniture.

Sindmóveis works to leverage the international competitiveness of companies developing promotional actions and market research carried out by its International Committee. "The association celebrates the data, but there is still a long way to return to the 2010 and 2011 levels, close to 60 million a year, and the financial pre-crisis of 2008/09, when the industry exported more than US$ 80 million annually", says the director.

Main markets for Bento Gonçalves furniture

1. Uruguay
2. Peru
3. Chile
4. Colombia
5. United States
6. Argentina
7. Paraguay
8. Mexico
9. Saudi Arabia
10. Panama